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Ask HN: Good review sites and channels by humans

14 points by GamerUncle 4y ago

Inspired by the discussions goin on in an earlier thread I would like to ask you guys: What are good review spaces, that are actually produced by somewhat reliable actual human people . Some of the examples provided: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/ https://linusmediagroup.com/ https://www.notebookcheck.net/ H Gamers nexus Hardware Unboxed I think the community must know more and better so please post them here.

frws 4y ago
For outdoor gear I definitely check outdoor gear lab as a data point before buying anything... (https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/ https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/). I've found their assessments mostly inline with my own for a lot of things I have used or purchased in the past. For reference, I'd classify myself as a recovering outdoor gear addict of 10+ years.
rkagerer 4y ago
For tech I've always liked AnandTech (and I prefer articles over videos).
cypress66 4y ago
rtings.com
TheFreim 4y ago
Depending on the product you can find tiny youtube channels that do honest reviews, usually just normal people who really liked or disliked something and want to talk about it.
athorax 4y ago
Maybe a little niche, but car-review YouTube has some refreshingly honest reviewers. A couple of my favorites: Throttle House SavageGeese TheTopher Hagerty - specifically Jason Camisa's videos SmokingTire
throwaway81523 4y ago
Everything mentioned here so far has been pretty unconvincing imho. Forums can be ok, where you are communicating directly with the person who used the product. Any site containing affiliate links has a conflict of interest since they get paid when you buy stuff. It's amazing how some of them rationalize it to say they don't have such an incentive.
zeagle 4y ago
For cycling related stuff I like DC rainmaker. He is mostly positive but at least he actually uses the equipment to review it and does a deep enough dive to let me form my own opinion.
tomcam 4y ago
Project Farm on YouTube is one of the best review producers ever. He buys tools, shop equipment, supplies, and so forth, then runs objective tests using sophisticated measurement and use cases that run from realistic to hilarious. https://youtube.com/c/ProjectFarm https://youtube.com/c/ProjectFarm
- squidbot 4y ago
  I just discovered this channel about 6 months ago and am ridiculously hooked on it. Am I ever going to buy a right angle impact wrench or a chain saw sharpener? No, but I'll sure watch a 20 minute video on which one is the right choice. It's a great channel! And, he does actually review a lot of things I do buy.
  - tomcam 4y ago
    > Am I ever going to buy a right angle impact wrench or a chain saw sharpener? I don’t know what you’re talking about. I, uh, pretty much know I’ll need a, uh, chainsaw sharpening thing, no, seriously…
tomsto 4y ago
In the UK, I really like Which. You have to subscribe but the incentives are right, rather than a load of affiliate-driven stuff. https://which.co.uk/ https://which.co.uk/
logicalmonster 4y ago
If you're into sci-fi stuff, https://www.jammersreviews.com https://www.jammersreviews.com is a great review site. It contains in-depth reviews of episodes and movies and doesn't seem to be burdened with any commercial considerations at all.
neonnoodle 4y ago
https://www.parkablogs.com https://www.parkablogs.com - art books, art supplies, everything for visual artists

14 points by GamerUncle 4y ago

frws 4y ago

For outdoor gear I definitely check outdoor gear lab as a data point before buying anything... (https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/ https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/). I've found their assessments mostly inline with my own for a lot of things I have used or purchased in the past. For reference, I'd classify myself as a recovering outdoor gear addict of 10+ years.

rkagerer 4y ago

For tech I've always liked AnandTech (and I prefer articles over videos).

cypress66 4y ago

rtings.com

TheFreim 4y ago

Depending on the product you can find tiny youtube channels that do honest reviews, usually just normal people who really liked or disliked something and want to talk about it.

athorax 4y ago

Maybe a little niche, but car-review YouTube has some refreshingly honest reviewers. A couple of my favorites: Throttle House SavageGeese TheTopher Hagerty - specifically Jason Camisa's videos SmokingTire

throwaway81523 4y ago

Everything mentioned here so far has been pretty unconvincing imho. Forums can be ok, where you are communicating directly with the person who used the product. Any site containing affiliate links has a conflict of interest since they get paid when you buy stuff. It's amazing how some of them rationalize it to say they don't have such an incentive.

zeagle 4y ago

For cycling related stuff I like DC rainmaker. He is mostly positive but at least he actually uses the equipment to review it and does a deep enough dive to let me form my own opinion.

tomcam 4y ago

Project Farm on YouTube is one of the best review producers ever. He buys tools, shop equipment, supplies, and so forth, then runs objective tests using sophisticated measurement and use cases that run from realistic to hilarious. https://youtube.com/c/ProjectFarm https://youtube.com/c/ProjectFarm

squidbot 4y ago
I just discovered this channel about 6 months ago and am ridiculously hooked on it. Am I ever going to buy a right angle impact wrench or a chain saw sharpener? No, but I'll sure watch a 20 minute video on which one is the right choice. It's a great channel! And, he does actually review a lot of things I do buy.
- tomcam 4y ago
  > Am I ever going to buy a right angle impact wrench or a chain saw sharpener? I don’t know what you’re talking about. I, uh, pretty much know I’ll need a, uh, chainsaw sharpening thing, no, seriously…

tomsto 4y ago

In the UK, I really like Which. You have to subscribe but the incentives are right, rather than a load of affiliate-driven stuff. https://which.co.uk/ https://which.co.uk/

logicalmonster 4y ago

If you're into sci-fi stuff, https://www.jammersreviews.com https://www.jammersreviews.com is a great review site. It contains in-depth reviews of episodes and movies and doesn't seem to be burdened with any commercial considerations at all.

neonnoodle 4y ago

https://www.parkablogs.com https://www.parkablogs.com - art books, art supplies, everything for visual artists